Collard greens and caviar is the range in which we live life and love food. Here you will find a range of human interest stories about food and the culture of food we live in featuring home cooks to food enthusiasts, and culinary experts. And these stories will be accompanied by simple and tasty recipes designed to "hit you in your comfort zone.” There will be other food related features from time to time not to mention recipes from “moi,” because after all – I'm a journalist who stirs a few pots every now and then and writes about it. So dive in. Cook fearless. Eat well.

Blurred eyed and wearing their “fascinator” hats, my friends filed into my living room with a glint of excitement, anticipation and wonder in their eyes. After all, it’s not every day someone from our Los Angeles community falls in love with a prince and marries him.

For most of them (except one who came grumbling and you know who you are), not even an early morning call time could keep them from watching this historic event. And watching the royal wedding in the company of girl friends? Extraordinary. Unforgettable. Nutty. And so worth it.

Wave Newspapers, lead story, Western edition.

The Los Angeles Wave Newspapers captured the early morning viewing nuptials at my Spanish-style home in an article they published following the wedding. It is clear from many of the comments of my guests – as reported in the story – it was a gathering of women who viewed the wedding from varying perspectives. That was no surprise to me. I know these women well.

There was one perspective that we all shared.

You guessed it – the food.

You see this group of accomplished and consciously heeled women not only practice living their best lives, they make it a point to enjoy some really good food while in spirited pursuit of it.

So what kind of early morning menu do you plan for such an esteemed group of royal wedding watchers? A British theme menu with a splash of Southern/Cali soul, paired with coffee and lots of the bubbly stuff.

Thankfully, a few of the ladies helped out by bringing the quiches, fresh fruit and chicken drumettes. It was indeed a royal feast for a few divine friends. We munched and sipped throughout the entire wedding and these royal wedding watchers didn’t depart my domicile until about10:00 a.m. It was a long, thrilling morning.

Well, the wedding is over, Meghan is now the Duchess of Sussex, and the memories of our early morning Royal Wedding Watch party linger on. And so do the memories of the vegetable and crab tea sandwiches I served at the party.

Easy vegetable and crab cream cheese tea sandwiches

My guests loved the Southern Californian inspired little sandwiches. I created this version as homage to Meghan’s Southern California roots while acknowledging her new life as a royal.

The fresh dill in these creamy, little delicate sandwiches made them savory. The finely chopped celery, yellow bell pepper and chopped carrots gave them freshness and a bit of crunch. And the addition of chopped, lump crab meat made them decadent. They were the perfect little bites.

Be careful when you make them. They are so good; no one can eat just one, two, three or four.

Duchess in Mumbai, India during a 2017 women’s empowerment mission with World Vision.

As I think about the union of Meghan and Harry, I can’t wait to see how the newly minted Duke and Duchess of Sussex will use their platform for good.

I’m chuffed to bits about it all. That’s British slang for “I’m pleased with what’s happened.” So cheerio loves, and I hope you enjoy the recipe.

Trim the crusts from each all the bread slices. You will have between 20 to 22 slices. Reserve half of the bread slices to top the sandwiches later.

Spread 1 heaping tablespoon (I used a 1-1/8″ All Purpose Stainless Steel Scoop) of the cream cheese mixture over the other half of slices, getting close to the edges. Place a reserved sandwich slice on top.

Cut each completed sandwich diagonally with a bread or serrated knife, if you have one.

Then cut each diagonal slice in half. Repeat until all the sandwiches are complete. Makes 44 to 48 quarter sandwiches.